What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education

Second Edition
Margaret J. McLaughlin - University of Maryland, USA
What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education
September 2008 | 120 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452295015
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412964166
Available from January 0001

Description

"Contains critical information that administrators need as they navigate special education policies and procedures. Administrators will discover a practical process for not only improving the quality of special education services, but also for transforming the teaching/learning cycle for all students."
—Kim Benton, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Populations
Meridian Public Schools, MS

Lead effective special education programs that promote student achievement!

The No Child Left Behind Act and other recent federal mandates have established a new level of accountability for special education programs. Updated to reflect these changes, this practical guide assists principals in developing special education programs that address current standards and students' diverse needs.

The second edition of McLaughlin's bestseller provides a straightforward overview of special education for principals and other administrators. This resource offers insights on how to lead programs for students with special needs and covers basic legal and procedural information. Written by a well-known and respected scholar in special education, this guide includes new information that enables principals to:

  • Fulfill requirements of NCLB and the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA, including standards-based individualized education programs
  • Ensure that special education students can appropriately access the general curriculum
  • Understand standardized testing options and accommodations to comply with federal law
  • Support accurate identification and eligibility decisions, including Response to Intervention procedures
  • Promote positive behavior and encourage family involvement

Help your students with disabilities reach their full potential through high-quality special education programs and services.

Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education

  • Five Things Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education
  • Section I. Creating Quality Special Education: Understanding the Basics of Special Education
  • What Is an Appropriate Education?
  • The IEP
  • The Least Restrictive Environment
  • Who Is Eligible for Special Education?
  • Procedural Safeguards – “The Law in Special Education”
  • Other Important Laws Affecting Students With Disabilities
  • Legal Issues and Assessing Students With Disabilities
  • Other Federal Disability Laws
  • Understanding the Differences Among Federal, State, and Local Special Education Requirements
  • Section II. Creating Quality Special Education: The Foundations
  • A New Model of Special Education
  • Access to the General Education Curriculum
  • Understanding Accommodations
  • Developing Standards-Based IEPs
  • Promoting Positive Behavior or How to Avoid the Discipline Problem
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
  • Building Strong Parent and Family Connections
  • Section III. Creating Quality Special Education: The Context
  • Adopt Evidence-Based Practices
  • What Are Evidenced-Based Practices?
  • The Importance of Using Published Research
  • Quality of Evidence
  • Data-Based Decision Making
  • Creating Shared Responsibility for Students With Disabilities
  • Collaboration Between General and Special Educators
  • Section IV. Summary

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"Contains critical information that administrators need as they navigate special education policies and procedures. Administrators will discover a practical process for not only improving the quality of special education services, but also for transforming the teaching/learning cycle for all students."
—Kim Benton, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Populations
Meridian Public Schools, MS

Lead effective special education programs that promote student achievement!

The No Child Left Behind Act and other recent federal mandates have established a new level of accountability for special education programs. Updated to reflect these changes, this practical guide assists principals in developing special education programs that address current standards and students' diverse needs.

The second edition of McLaughlin's bestseller provides a straightforward overview of special education for principals and other administrators. This resource offers insights on how to lead programs for students with special needs and covers basic legal and procedural information. Written by a well-known and respected scholar in special education, this guide includes new information that enables principals to:

  • Fulfill requirements of NCLB and the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA, including standards-based individualized education programs
  • Ensure that special education students can appropriately access the general curriculum
  • Understand standardized testing options and accommodations to comply with federal law
  • Support accurate identification and eligibility decisions, including Response to Intervention procedures
  • Promote positive behavior and encourage family involvement

Help your students with disabilities reach their full potential through high-quality special education programs and services.

Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education

  • Five Things Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education
  • Section I. Creating Quality Special Education: Understanding the Basics of Special Education
  • What Is an Appropriate Education?
  • The IEP
  • The Least Restrictive Environment
  • Who Is Eligible for Special Education?
  • Procedural Safeguards – “The Law in Special Education”
  • Other Important Laws Affecting Students With Disabilities
  • Legal Issues and Assessing Students With Disabilities
  • Other Federal Disability Laws
  • Understanding the Differences Among Federal, State, and Local Special Education Requirements
  • Section II. Creating Quality Special Education: The Foundations
  • A New Model of Special Education
  • Access to the General Education Curriculum
  • Understanding Accommodations
  • Developing Standards-Based IEPs
  • Promoting Positive Behavior or How to Avoid the Discipline Problem
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
  • Building Strong Parent and Family Connections
  • Section III. Creating Quality Special Education: The Context
  • Adopt Evidence-Based Practices
  • What Are Evidenced-Based Practices?
  • The Importance of Using Published Research
  • Quality of Evidence
  • Data-Based Decision Making
  • Creating Shared Responsibility for Students With Disabilities
  • Collaboration Between General and Special Educators
  • Section IV. Summary

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education

Margaret J. McLaughlin
Cancel Print

September 2008 | 120 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412964166 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452295015 $35.00

"Contains critical information that administrators need as they navigate special education policies and procedures. Administrators will discover a practical process for not only improving the quality of special education services, but also for transforming the teaching/learning cycle for all students."
—Kim Benton, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Populations
Meridian Public Schools, MS

Lead effective special education programs that promote student achievement!

The No Child Left Behind Act and other recent federal mandates have established a new level of accountability for special education programs. Updated to reflect these changes, this practical guide assists principals in developing special education programs that address current standards and students' diverse needs.

The second edition of McLaughlin's bestseller provides a straightforward overview of special education for principals and other administrators. This resource offers insights on how to lead programs for students with special needs and covers basic legal and procedural information. Written by a well-known and respected scholar in special education, this guide includes new information that enables principals to:

  • Fulfill requirements of NCLB and the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA, including standards-based individualized education programs
  • Ensure that special education students can appropriately access the general curriculum
  • Understand standardized testing options and accommodations to comply with federal law
  • Support accurate identification and eligibility decisions, including Response to Intervention procedures
  • Promote positive behavior and encourage family involvement

Help your students with disabilities reach their full potential through high-quality special education programs and services.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface to the Second Edition
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction: What Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education
  • Five Things Every Principal Needs to Know About Special Education
  • Section I. Creating Quality Special Education: Understanding the Basics of Special Education
  • What Is an Appropriate Education?
  • The IEP
  • The Least Restrictive Environment
  • Who Is Eligible for Special Education?
  • Procedural Safeguards – “The Law in Special Education”
  • Other Important Laws Affecting Students With Disabilities
  • Legal Issues and Assessing Students With Disabilities
  • Other Federal Disability Laws
  • Understanding the Differences Among Federal, State, and Local Special Education Requirements
  • Section II. Creating Quality Special Education: The Foundations
  • A New Model of Special Education
  • Access to the General Education Curriculum
  • Understanding Accommodations
  • Developing Standards-Based IEPs
  • Promoting Positive Behavior or How to Avoid the Discipline Problem
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
  • Building Strong Parent and Family Connections
  • Section III. Creating Quality Special Education: The Context
  • Adopt Evidence-Based Practices
  • What Are Evidenced-Based Practices?
  • The Importance of Using Published Research
  • Quality of Evidence
  • Data-Based Decision Making
  • Creating Shared Responsibility for Students With Disabilities
  • Collaboration Between General and Special Educators
  • Section IV. Summary
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"A practical and useable template for school administrators interested in creating exemplary programs for students with disabilities."
John Enloe, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Sevier County Board of Education, TN
"This guidebook provides a solid foundation in special education for principals. The straightforward text will appeal to all building administrators."
Debi Gartland, Professor of Special Education, Towson University
"The book made me think a great deal about the leadership behaviors and content knowledge needed to create school programs that are effective for all children. The author has done a good job of pulling together critical information for principals."
Jane Belmore, Adjunct Professor, Edgewood College
"Contains critical information that administrators need to understand as they navigate through special education policies and procedures. In addition, administrators will discover a practical process for not only improving the quality of special education services, but also for transforming the teaching/learning cycle for all students. The clear explanations and examples contain the research-based ingredients that translate into a recipe for success!"
Kim Benton, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Populations, Meridian Public Schools, MS

Recommendations